personalized toy parts

Abstract

Disclosed herein are methods for personalizing toy parts and toy parts that include personalized images.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to a method for personalizing toy parts, and in particular to a method for personalizing the head of a toy figure with an image selected by a user. [Background technology]

[0002] Toys of all shapes and sizes are enjoyed by many children (and adults) around the world. Playing with toys can entertain children and contribute positively to a child's physical and mental development. Children tend to enjoy playing with toys that resemble them, so providing a toy with an image that the child easily recognizes, or that has a real meaning to the child, is likely to increase a child's enjoyment of the toy.

[0003] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for personalizing a toy part, the method comprising: selecting a facial image from the digital image; selecting a toy part template from a plurality of available toy part templates for the toy part to be personalized; creating a printable digital image of the selected face; the facial image is adjusted so that the contours of the image and the position of the facial eyes on the image match the contours and positions pre-set for the template of the selected toy part; and printing the printable digital image, the printed image configured to be applied to the toy part.

[0004] The method of the present invention generates a custom printed image for application to a user-selected toy part. The image is processed using predetermined conditions specific to the selected toy part, producing an image that is instantly recognizable and perfectly shaped to fit the toy part, even when applied to a relatively small toy part, such as a Lego® figure head. Other image processing techniques known to the inventors often result in images that are barely recognizable, require cropping before application, and have a poor visual finish, due to the different aesthetic styles of the printed image and the toy part. While aesthetic quality is subjective, visual results with abrupt transitions between the printed image and the toy part generally appear to most users to be of poor quality.

[0005] Advantageously, the methods of the present invention allow a child to participate in the creation of a personalized toy part, which can provide valuable learning and experience. Participation in creating a personalized toy part can include, for example, creating a special photograph or picture for the toy part, which can enhance the visual quality of the final toy. Participation in creating a personalized toy part can also further increase a child's attachment to the toy part.

[0006] In some embodiments, adjusting the facial image includes overlaying the facial image with a toy part template, whereby the user adjusts the placement of the eyes relative to the toy part template. Such manual manipulation not only provides a good learning experience, but may even make the process more engaging for the child.

[0007] In other embodiments, adjusting the facial image may involve a computer processor (e.g., on the user's PC or other computing device) adjusting the image to align the eyes with predetermined eye positions on the toy part template. Such automatic adjustment may yield more perfect results, although it requires less creative involvement from the child themselves.

[0008] In some embodiments, the spacing of other facial features may be adjusted by the user to match other features of the head, such as the edges of a helmet or hairstyle on or intended to be placed on the head, etc. In some embodiments, for example, the image of the face may be adjusted so that the position of the mouth and / or nose of the face on the image matches predetermined positions on the selected toy part template.

[0009] In some embodiments, the facial image may be adjusted so that the distance between the eyes is not shorter than a minimum distance. For example, in some toy parts, the inventors have found that faces with eyes printed closer than about 5 mm tend to be too close together to recognize a particular photographed person, thus reducing the fidelity of the subject's expression.

[0010] In some embodiments, the printable digital image may be further adjusted based on one or more other characteristics of the selected toy part template. The defined toy part characteristics may include, for example, the aspect ratio, the size and / or shape of the image-receiving portion of the toy part, the size and shape of any covers or other layers or accessories for the toy part, and whether the toy part has flat or curved portions for receiving the image (e.g., the surface of the toy figure's head body portion).

[0011] In some embodiments, the method may further include editing the printable digital image. Editing the printable digital image may include, for example, selecting one or more visual elements to be added to the printable digital image. The visual elements may be selected from a predefined group that is complementary to the selected toy part template and may include hair, headwear, clothing, facial ornaments, accessories, or environmental features associated with the selected toy part. The visual elements help visually integrate the photographic facial image with the toy part; for example, a visual element template may be a red hoodie around a face, which may be printed and placed on a red toy figure. Additional visual elements, such as a label, a name, or an emoji, may also be selected.

[0012] In some embodiments, printing the printable digital image may include printing the digital image onto an image receptive material (e.g., Zink sticker, Zink paper, instant film paper, thermal printer paper, plain paper, sticker paper, vinyl sticker paper, label paper, glossy paper, laminate cover, or photo paper). In some such embodiments, the image receptive material may include an adhesive, allowing the printed digital image to adhere to the toy part. In some embodiments, the toy part may include one or more sheets of image receptive material.

[0013] In other embodiments, printing the printable digital image may include printing the digital image directly onto a portion of a toy part configured to receive a personalized image.

[0014] In some embodiments, the facial image may be selected by a processing device to identify faces in the digital image using facial recognition. In some such embodiments, multiple faces may be recognized and used to create a corresponding number of personalized toy parts. For example, each of the children in a class photo may be reproduced on multiple separate heads, providing the social value of learning names and enhancing a child's sense of belonging.

[0015] In some embodiments, multiple faces may be recognizable and used to generate personalized images for toy parts. For example, multiple children may be added to a template corresponding to the windshield of a toy bus. Templates that allow multiple faces to be added within a single image outline may have predetermined locations for eye placement. Alternatively, such templates may allow the user to determine where the faces are placed. To ensure that faces in a photograph are recognizable as specific individuals, software processes or user-controlled methods may ensure the visual quality of the result. For example, a user-controlled template may include visual measurements to guide the user. For example, a line segment corresponding to a 5 mm length on a printed image may provide a visual measurement for the user to reference when adjusting the distance between the eyes to ensure that the printed face is large enough to be recognizable. Other shapes or visual measurements may be used to similar effect to improve the visual quality of printed images created by the user.

[0016] In some embodiments, the toy parts may be two-dimensional toy parts or three-dimensional toy parts. Examples of two-dimensional toy parts include playing cards, trading cards, figure cards, hand-painted figure cards, flat shapes, and flat sheet materials. Examples of three-dimensional toy parts include toy figure heads, figures, structures with windows, toy blocks, toy vehicles, toy parts with planar areas suitable for receiving a printed image, and toy parts with cylindrical areas suitable for receiving a printed image.

[0017] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a personalisable toy part configured to receive a personalised image produced by the method of the present invention and a curved transparent cover, wherein the personalised image is overlaid by the cover in use, thereby making the image visible to the user.

[0018] Thus, the present invention provides toy parts, including toy figure heads as described below, that can be personalized by a user, thereby achieving the advantages described herein. The present invention can be advantageously used to manufacture toy parts that faithfully reproduce personalized images on the toy part, even when the toy part is small. For example, in a specific embodiment described in further detail below, a toy head compatible with a Lego® figure can be obtained, including one that has a face that visually closely resembles the user's face, despite the head being less than 1 cm tall.

[0019] In some embodiments, the toy part may further include a light source positioned behind the personalized image, such a light source allowing the personalized image to be clearly visible to the user during play.

[0020] In some embodiments, the cover may be a lens that refracts (e.g., magnifies and / or shifts the visual position of) the personalized image and allows the user to clearly see the personalized image during play (and note that many toy parts, including those described below, may be relatively small).

[0021] In some embodiments, the toy piece may include multiple portions configured to receive personalized images (e.g., spaced around the perimeter of the toy piece), where each personalized image may be the same or different. A user may place a different image on each portion, for example, showing different facial expressions on a person's face (e.g., a smile and a frown).

[0022] In some embodiments, the toy part may be the head of a toy figure. For example, as described in further detail below, a head for a toy figure may have a shape and configuration that is compatible for use with existing toy figures, such as Lego® toy figures that can be found in many children's toy boxes. Features of such embodiments are described below.

[0023] In embodiments where the toy part is a head for a toy figure, the portion (or each portion) configured to receive a personalized image may be a peripheral slot in the head, where the outermost surface of the head defines a curved transparent cover. Alternatively (or additionally), the portion configured to receive a personalized image may be a surface configured to receive an image thereon, where the cover is configured to be secured to the head body portion such that the cover covers the surface.

[0024] The cover, in some embodiments, may have an arcuate shape, such that the assembled head is substantially cylindrical. The cover may, for example, include a peripheral rim that mates with a complementary edge on the head body portion, a surface located between the cover and the body portion in use. Alternatively, the cover may be hingedly connected to the head body portion.

[0025] In some embodiments, the portion configured to receive the personalized image may be the surface of a partial head, and the cover is a separate portion configured to overlay the image, with the assembly of the cover, image, and partial head forming the toy figure head, such embodiments are described in further detail below.

[0026] The toy part may further include an accessory configured to hold a covering over the head body portion (eg, a helmet, hat, or hairpiece configured to be secured to the head).

[0027] In a third aspect, the present invention provides a toy part including a portion configured to receive a personalized image, the personalized image being covered in use by a transparent cover, whereby the image is visible to the user and is water resistant, the cover may be, for example, a polymer layer, a flat portion or a curved portion.

[0028] In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a head for a toy figure (e.g., a Lego® Classic Minifigure or a Lego® Friends Minifigure), the head comprising: a recess in the base of the head configured to receive a stud of a toy figure; a surface configured to receive a sheet of material; a sheet-like material configured to adhere to a surface, the sheet having a personalized image printed (e.g., thermally transferred) on the front surface thereof and an adhesive layer on the back surface thereof; a transparent protective polymer overcoat layer on the surface of the sheet, covering the printed image; and a personalized image that includes a photograph of a person's face.

[0029] In some embodiments, the sheet material may have Zink® dye crystals embedded within it.

[0030] Additional features and advantages of the various toy parts are described below in connection with specific embodiments, although it should be understood that such additional features may have more general applicability than those described in connection with these specific embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following drawings.

[0032] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a toy part in the shape of the head of a toy figure according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

[0033] [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a toy part in the form of a head of a toy figure according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] [Figure 3A] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a toy part in the form of a head of a toy figure according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a top view of the head of FIG. 3A.

[0036] [Figure 3C] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a toy part in the form of a head of a toy figure according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] [Figure 4]4A-4E illustrate a method for personalizing the head of a toy figure according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] [Figure 5] 5A-5G illustrate a method for personalizing the head of a toy figure according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] [Figure 6] 6A-6D illustrate a method for personalizing the heads of a plurality of toy figures using digital images obtained from a class photograph, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] [Figure 7] 7A and 7B show a template for printing a digital image that can be used for different shaped toy figure heads, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a toy part according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] [Figure 9] 9A-9D illustrate a method for personalizing exemplary two-dimensional and three-dimensional toy parts according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] [Figure 10] 10A and 10B illustrate a method for personalizing another example of a two-dimensional toy part according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] [Figure 11] 10 illustrates a method for personalizing another example of a three-dimensional toy part according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] [Figure 12]1 shows a toy part in the shape of a head of a Lego® toy figure and a kiss-cut sticker sheet made in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] [Figure 13] 10 shows a sticker sheet including multiple faces intended to be applied to a spaceship-shaped toy part according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] A general object of the present invention is to provide a toy part that includes a personalized image and is therefore more attractive to children. In this regard, disclosed herein is a method for personalizing a toy part, the method comprising: selecting a facial image from the digital image; selecting a toy part template from a plurality of available toy part templates for the toy part to be personalized; creating a printable digital image of the selected face, adjusting the image of the face so that the contours of the image and the position of the eyes of the face on the image match the contours and positions pre-defined for the template of the selected toy part; and printing the printable digital image, the printed image configured to be affixed to the toy part.

[0048] Also disclosed herein is a personalizable toy part configured to receive a personalized image produced by the method of the present invention and a curved, transparent cover, which overlays the personalized image during use, thereby making the image visible to the user.

[0049] In certain embodiments, described in more detail below, a two-dimensional digital image of a specific person's face serves as the basis for customizing a two-dimensional toy part (such as a playing card or trading card) or a three-dimensional toy part (such as a toy figure head). A custom face layer is created for the selected digital image using software and digital printing methods, and this face layer is then applied to the toy head. The invention allows children to add their own selected specific faces to generic toy figures, generic building blocks, blocks, and other toy parts.

[0050] The present invention will be described primarily as a head for a toy figure, and in particular as a head-shaped toy part having a curved periphery and compatible with Lego toy figures such as Lego minifigures and Lego Friends, however, it will be understood that the present invention is generally applicable to other toy parts including those having flat peripheral surfaces and those shown by way of example only.

[0051] The personalizable toy part may optionally include features such as a light source to illuminate an image placed behind or near the personalized image (e.g., in the toy figure or head) and / or a cover that acts as a lens, thus magnifying or refracting the personalized image in a visually interesting manner to a child. Both of these features tend to visually enhance the personalized image on the toy and are particularly beneficial when the toy part is relatively small. Batteries or the like must be provided to power the light source, but these are commercially available.

[0052] A personalizable toy part includes one or more portions configured to receive a respective personalized image (e.g., as generated by the methods disclosed herein). In some embodiments, for example, there may be two or more such portions on the toy part, for example spaced around its periphery. Advantageously, such embodiments provide an opportunity for a user to include images of different people, or (for example) images of the same person with different facial expressions. In the latter case, for example, one image may be of a child smiling and another image of a child frowning, and the child may rotate the toy part to select the image displayed depending on their mood.

[0053] As mentioned above, the toy part may be a head for a toy figure, and although the features of such a head are described in further detail below, it should be noted that such features may also be applied generally to toy parts other than heads for toy figures.

[0054] Of particular relevance to children worldwide are toy figures commonly known as minifigures. Early types of minifigures were invented by the Lego Group to be interconnected with plastic building block sets also invented by Lego. Minifigures and their connecting building block sets have become a global standard produced by many suppliers. Minifigures with different heads that connect to the same building block sets are sold under the LEGO Friends® brand. Both types of toy figures are sometimes referred to hereinafter as building block set figures, and although the heads of the two figures are different and do not connect to the same neck, the inventions and methods described herein for producing personalized heads apply to both of these types of building block set figures (and indeed, to other existing types of toy heads and toy figures more generally).

[0055] The toy component includes a portion configured to receive a personalized image that is visible to a child during use. Any portion that provides this functionality may be provided. In one embodiment, for example, the portion that receives the personalized image may be a peripheral slot in the head, with the outermost surface of the head defining a transparent cover. Specific embodiments of this configuration are described in further detail below.

[0056] In other embodiments, the portion that receives the personalized image may include a surface configured to receive the image thereon. In such embodiments, the cover may be configured to be secured to the main body portion of the head and cover that surface. The receiving surface may be substantially flat or curved, depending on the shape and configuration of the head. In other embodiments, the portion that receives the personalized image may be the surface of a partial head, and the cover may be a separate portion configured to cover the toy image, with the combination of the cover, image, and partial head forming the head of the toy figure. Specific embodiments of these configurations are described in further detail below.

[0057] The surface may be suitable for receiving a sticker with a personalized image printed thereon. A variety of blank sticker sheets designed for home digital printing are commercially available. For example, disclosed herein is a sticker sheet having a blank face layer kiss-cut to fit a blank head, and a software method described below allows a user to digitally select and size a selected digital image to print on the kiss-cut face layer. Examples of image-receptive sticker sheets that can be kiss-cut for use in the methods disclosed herein include ZINK® photo sticker sheets with small sheet sizes of 2 x 3 inches, 4.25 x 3.5 inches, or other sizes. Small thermally printable sheets are suitable for processing to have an array of kiss-cut face layers (e.g., pre-cut face layers) that fit the receiving surface of a blank head. These are described in further detail below.

[0058] The curved transparent cover may have a shape and configuration that is compatible with its functionality, i.e., it may cover the personalized image while still allowing the user to view it. The cover may be, for example, transparent, translucent, or opaque. The cover may be entirely transparent, or only the portion where the personalized image is located may be transparent. The cover may have an arcuate shape such that the assembled head is substantially cylindrical, which is compatible with many toy heads, including, for example, Lego® minifigures.

[0059] In some implementations of the invention, the cover may have a flat shape and the assembled head may have a flat surface around it, for example, the head shape may match the head of a Lego® Minecraft® figure, which is a rectangular prism that connects to the body of a standard building block figure.

[0060] In some embodiments, it is provided in the form of a head for a toy figure, where the three-dimensional volume defined by the toy parts, including the cover, matches the three-dimensional volume defined by the head of a building block figure, such as a Lego® minifigure.

[0061] The cover may be retained to other components of the toy part via built-in connection means or via accessories configured to hold the cover to the head. Such accessories may serve the dual function of also providing visual appeal to the head, for example in the case of a helmet, hat or hairpiece. A combination of built-in connection means and accessories may also be used.

[0062] The cover may, for example, have a perimeter that mates with a complementary edge around the perimeter of the part configured to receive the personalized image. A friction fit between the perimeter / edge securely joins the components. Alternatively (or additionally), the cover may be hinged to the toy part, opening to allow the user to add the personalized image and closing to secure it.

[0063] As described herein, heads for toy figures, in many embodiments, match and are otherwise compatible with Lego® toy figures, however, in more general embodiments, toy parts may include features such as recesses and studs that allow the toy parts to be coupled with other toy accessories (including Lego® bricks).

[0064] In the methods of the present invention, facial images are selected from digital images (e.g., stored digital images or digital images captured during the implementation of the method), typically using a processing device. Stored digital images may be, for example, digitized drawings, digitized illustrations, or digital photographs. Suitable processing devices are available, ranging from personal computers running appropriate software applications to mobile phones.

[0065] The user then selects a toy part template from a template library linked to the toy part the user wishes to personalize. Each toy part has several predefined characteristics, such as size, shape, covering, and whether the surface on which the digital image is to be printed is flat or curved. These characteristics are taken into consideration when preparing the facial image for printing. For example, subsequent processing operations may take this data into account when processing the facial image. For example, subsequent processing operations may utilize this data to accurately and faithfully reproduce the image, making the face instantly recognizable and "lifelike," particularly in embodiments where the toy part is relatively small in size or where the image is printed on a kiss-cut portion of an image-receptive sticker sheet.

[0066] In this method, the selected facial image is processed by a user or a processing device based on the characteristics of the selected toy part to generate a printable digital image. In this process, the software application may implement an algorithm that adjusts the image so that the facial image's contours and eye positions match those predefined in the toy part template. Alternatively, the software application may display the image and software controls to the user, allowing the user to configure the printable digital image. In this manner, the inventors have discovered that optimal placement of the facial image relative to the intended location of the toy part can be achieved, and adjusting the image based on the eye positions can achieve a faithful, distortion-free reproduction of the face. The inventors point out that if the adjustments disclosed above are not made, the face may become unrecognizable, significantly reducing the appeal of the toy part.

[0067] For toy parts having the shape of a toy figure's head, it may be necessary to adjust the size, position, and / or aspect ratio of the image, as described in further detail below. The inventors also recognize that eye spacing in printable digital images is important and ideally should not be less than a minimum distance. While the minimum distance depends on factors such as the size and shape of the toy part, the inventors suggest that distances less than 5 mm are best avoided. If the distance between the eyes is too close, facial recognition will be reduced.

[0068] The procedure for adjusting the digital image of the face in the above manner may involve overlaying the face image on a template of toy parts and having the user adjust the image until the eye positions of the face line up with the eye positions of the template of toy parts. Such a "twinning" procedure is described in further detail below.

[0069] Alternatively, a computer processor (e.g., using a software application running on the user's computing device) may be configured to perform the task of adjusting the image so that the eye positions match the eye positions on the toy part template.

[0070] In some embodiments, the inventors have used a "snap to grid" feature to assist in aligning the image to the toy part template. Such a feature relies on a software application to automatically align objects to a grid when the objects are moved or resized. In the context of the present invention, this feature helps align the image's outline and eyes to the toy part template, especially when the toy part template is rectangular.

[0071] In some embodiments, a combination of manual and automatic adjustments may be implemented. For example, if desired, a user can manually adjust the image first, and then the software application can generate the final image. Alternatively, the software application can adjust the image first, and the user can complete the process to add individual styling.

[0072] In some embodiments, the location of the mouth and / or nose (and indeed other facial features) may also be determined and used in the adjustments described herein.

[0073] The method may provide users with the ability to edit the image before printing (or further processing) and add visual elements desired by the user and / or relevant to the toy part. For example, a user may request that additional visual elements be added to the image before printing, including hair, hats, facial ornaments, accessories or other relevant environmental features, emojis, hearts, headdress or clothing accessories, and labels for printing. These additional visual elements may be added to the printable digital image and printed together, or printed separately from the printable digital image containing the face and separately attached to the toy part. When using a physical layering method, a printed cover may be attached to the printed image of the face, and the cover may have a cutout to reveal the face or part of the face underneath. The two superimposed printed images may then be attached to the toy part. An advantage of this layering approach is that multiple copies of multiple printed faces and multiple copies of different covers can be combined to increase the number of combinations for physical play. Due to a desire to minimize screen time, users may prefer this physical layering method over digital layering methods.

[0074] In the method of the present invention, a printable digital image is printed. In some embodiments, printing the printable digital image comprises printing the digital image directly onto a portion of a toy part configured to receive a personalized image. Such embodiments may be best implemented in a retail environment given the necessary specialized printing equipment.

[0075] In another embodiment, printing the printable digital image comprises printing the digital image onto a surface of an image receptive material, which may include an adhesive that allows the printed digital image to be attached to the toy part, or the image receptive material may be secured to the toy part using an adhesive or double-sided tape.

[0076] Any suitable image receiving material can be used, examples of which include Zink stickers, Zink paper, instant film paper, thermal printer paper, plain paper, sticker paper, vinyl sticker paper, label paper, glossy paper, laminate cover or photo paper.

[0077] The inventors point out that ZINK® printing technology, including ZINK® thermal printers, ZINK Paper®, and related devices and software tools, can be used in the present invention. ZINK® technology uses dye-based crystals embedded within the paper instead of ink. Before printing, the embedded dye crystals are transparent, making ZINK Paper® appear like regular white photo paper. ZINK® uses heat to activate and color these crystals. Suppliers of ZINK® thermal printers, Zink Paper®, and related devices and software tools include Canon, Hewlett-Packard, and Kodak. Zink Paper also has physical characteristics that make individual or multiple layers of Zink Paper suitable as physical components of a head assembly. For example, two layers of Zink Paper bonded back-to-back are approximately 0.3 mm thick, rigid, and waterproof, and may be structurally useful in a head assembly to form a friction fit or fill a required volume within the head assembly.

[0078] Thermal printing technology has many advantages over more traditional ink-on-paper printing techniques, including: High resolution and contrast that allows you to print recognizable faces up to 5mm wide. Small sheet size (typical ZINK® paper size is 2x3 inches). · Sheet material characteristics suitable for face layer parts (approximately 0.15 mm thickness, adequate rigidity and flexibility, water-resistant image surface, etc.). Sheets with adhesive and backing on one side suitable for kiss-cutting (cutting out a portion of a multi-layer sheet without cutting through the bottom support layer).

[0079] In some embodiments, the method of the present invention utilizes facial recognition technology to extract a face from a digital image, optionally removing unwanted background. In such embodiments, the image includes a face selected by a processing device using facial recognition technology to identify the face in the stored digital image, and the processing device uses contour recognition technology to extract the face or head from the background of the image. In other embodiments, the inventors contemplate that multiple faces may be recognized and the method may be used to generate an image with multiple faces printed on a single toy part. In other embodiments, the inventors contemplate that multiple faces may be recognized and the method may be used to generate a corresponding number of personalized toy parts. Specific details of such implementations are discussed in more detail below.

[0080] A specific example of a head-shaped toy part for a toy figure according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0081] Referring first to Figure 1, there is shown a head for a toy figure constructed as a three-part head assembly 10. Assembly 10 includes a head body 12, an image-bearing sheet 14, and a cover 16. Cover 16 is transparent or nearly transparent to allow viewing through sheet 14. Cover 16 may be transparent, translucent, or opaque.

[0082] The seat receiving portion 18 of the head body 12 is raised and has a ground contact portion that matches the shape of the seat 14. The cover 16 has an inner friction fit edge 20 configured to friction fit with an outer friction fit edge 22 of the receiving portion 18, thereby joining the cover 12 to the body and securely sandwiching the seat 14 between the cover and the body.

[0083] In this embodiment, sheet 14 is part of a ZINK Paper® sticker sheet, as shown in FIG. 6C and described in more detail below. Such a sheet includes an array of 24 blank, kiss-cut face layers for connectable head assemblies with common toy figures from plastic building blocks, including those from Lego. Kiss-cutting is a technical term for making partial cuts through multiple layers of a sheet, where the cuts do not reach all the way to the bottom layer. Kiss-cutting is a common method for manufacturing sticker sheets.

[0084] The head assembly 10 (i.e., the head body 12, the cover 16, and the seat 14 disposed therebetween) matches the head of a Lego® minifigure and further includes recesses 24 and studs 26 that are compatible with figures from popular building blocks sets.

[0085] 2, a five-piece head assembly 100 for a toy figure is shown. Assembly 100 includes head body 112, image-bearing sheets 114A and 114B, cover 116, and spacer 118. In this embodiment, the exterior of both body 112 and cover 116 are transparent, allowing sheets 114A and 114B to be viewed by the user (e.g., by rotating the head 180 degrees).

[0086] Sheets 114A and 114B may contain the same image, but typically contain different images, such as an image recreated from a photograph of a child smiling and another frowning. In use, a child can rotate head 100 relative to the attached hair cover and neck connection (neither shown) to change the toy figure's facial color.

[0087] Similar to head 10, the inner friction fit edges of cover 116 and body 112 are configured to friction fit around spacer 118 and seats 114A and 114B to secure the assembly.

[0088] 3A and 3B, a toy figure head is shown in the form of a one-piece head assembly 200. In this embodiment, head 200 is made of clear molded plastic and has three cylindrical grooves 210A, 210B, and 210C disposed around its periphery. Grooves 210A, 210B, and 210C are sized to receive image-bearing sheets (not shown) similar to those described above. Grooves 210 may open at the top of head 200 and extend through the head to a similar opening (not shown) at the bottom. The image-bearing sheets may be held in place by friction and may be removably pushed through the grooves. Alternatively, the bottoms of the grooves may be closed, allowing the image-bearing sheets to rest against the bottom of the grooves.

[0089] In the illustrated embodiment, the grooves 210 are approximately 8 mm long, 0.3 mm thick, and positioned approximately 0.7 mm from the periphery of the head 200. The head 200 may include internal lighting (not shown) for illuminating the image-bearing sheet. Alternatively, a toy figure (not shown) detachably or integrally attached to the head 200 may include internal lighting for transmitting light inside the head to illuminate the image-bearing sheet.

[0090] Additionally, the user can change the toy figure's facial color by rotating the head 200 relative to the attached hair cover and neck connection (neither shown). The head 200 can display three different images, such as a happy face, a sad face, or a sleeping face.

[0091] Another form of head 200 is shown in Figure 3C in the form of head 300. Head 300 has only one circumferential groove 310, and a sheet or sheets (not shown) containing an image may be placed anywhere in the groove.

[0092] The inventors have noted that there are various physical methods for assembling the head of the present invention that are consistent with the spirit of the present invention, such as the sheet containing the image, the cover, and the main body. Some assembly methods include those shown below. · Gluing or friction-fitting the sheet containing the image into the cover. · Gluing or friction-fitting the sheet containing the image to the body. · Glue or friction fit the sheet containing the image onto the spacer. A sheet containing one or more images is curved and inserted into a curved groove around the head · Connecting the cover to the body through mating features such as protrusions and recesses, grips, latches, embedded magnets, or other connecting mechanisms. The cover and body are connected by nesting friction-fit edges, such as the outer edge of the body friction-fitting with the inner edge of the cover (as shown in the head assembly of Figures 1 and 2), or conversely, the inner edge of the body friction-fitting with the outer edge of the cover (not shown). One or more spacers may also be used to hold a sheet containing one or more images and engage with the face covering and / or face connector in a similar manner and effect. An outer cover may be used to hold together (secure) the components of a head assembly, including head accessories. For example, the helmet worn by the CustomBlocks figure shown in Figure 5G may hold together (secure) a compatible head assembly inside the helmet. The head connector and face cover may be one piece or may be integrally connected with a slot on the top surface of the head where the face layer is placed. The face layer slot may be straight, curved, or angled. The curve of the slot may follow the radius of the outer periphery of the head. The curve of the slot may improve the visual appearance of the head. The slots or other surfaces that contact the face layer may be coated with an adhesive. The adhesive coated on the surface of the head or injected into the face layer slots may have visually advantageous properties. Examples of visually advantageous properties of the adhesive include having a specific refractive index that is visually compatible and / or having a specific transparency.

[0093] The head assembly may be configured to transmit light in a manner that enhances the visibility of the personalized image. For example, Reflective and / or luminescent lenses and light sources may be added to the head assembly and / or other parts of the figure body, either integral or detachable, to improve the visibility of the face layer or to achieve other desired visual effects. The face covering may act as a lens that magnifies the appearance of the face layer to the viewer. The lens may act to make the face appear larger, curved, or elongated. Face coverings that act as lenses may be made from a variety of materials, including plastic, polymer, glass, crystal, or other suitable materials. The head connector may be transparent. The head assembly may be connected to a figure with an internal light source in the torso. The head connector may be integral with the toy figure body, with the light source located within the head and the battery located within the figure body.

[0094] In use, heads 10, 100, 200, 300 incorporate their respective image-bearing sheets. The generation of the image-bearing sheets is described in more detail below, but in summary, digital photography and software techniques are used to direct a printer to print the image onto an image-bearing sheet, which is then used to manufacture heads 10, 100, and 200, as described above. In one embodiment, personalized toy parts may be provided, for example, by the following process: A. Prepare a frontal photograph of the head and face. Digitally cut out the BA face layer from its background (e.g., Apple iOS 16's "Cut out from Background" feature could be used) C. Select and display a face layer template D. Using software, digitally adapt the head image to fit the selected face layer template and print the image onto the face layer E. Face Connector (The face layer is attached to the connector) F. Three-part head assembly: transparent face cover, face layer, and face connector G. The head assembly of step F above is connected to a typical toy figure (an adhesive layer may be used to connect the three parts of the head assembly, the three parts of the head assembly may be friction-fitted, or the head assembly may be secured with a head cover (e.g., a helmet)).

[0095] 4 illustrates steps of a method for personalizing a toy part (a toy head compatible with Lego® figures) using a digital twin and eye alignment according to an embodiment of the present invention. The steps of the method may include: 1. The user selects a digital image (Figure 4A) 2. The user selects a toy head (Figure 4B), and the digital face layer template and digital twin image corresponding to the selected head type are displayed (Figure 4C). 3. Using software tools and a mobile device with a touchscreen and an OS such as iOS or Android, design a customized face layer for printing (Figure 4D).

[0096] The software steps required to design a customized face layer may include: a. Select a digital image of a face from an image database b. Select the type of toy head c. Resize digital images d. Aligning the facial image with the face layer template (software functionality may include an automatic alignment function). e. Save your customized print-ready face design as f. Select the printer type g. Add a face layer to the sheet layout. h. Print the sheet containing the face layer

[0097] Manual steps may include: 1. Separate the face layer 2. Paste the face layer onto the blank head 3. Place the cover over the face layer 4. Attach the toy head to the toy figure body 5. Add block-compatible accessories to the head (hair, hats, glasses, etc.)

[0098] FIG. 4E shows another toy head configuration, including a helmet, which may favor a wider eye position and a larger sized face layer.

[0099] 5 is an image illustrating steps of a method according to another embodiment of the present invention for personalizing a toy part having a head shape compatible with a Lego® figure, the toy part having a flat image receiving surface. The steps of the method may include: 1. A digital photograph of a frontal view of the head and face (Figure 5A), selected, for example, from a class photo, is applied to a personalized toy figure (Figure 5G). 2. To simplify image processing, the head outline (Figure 5B) is extracted from the image background. This step can be performed using the "Cut out from background" feature in Apple iOS 16 or using known image processing software (e.g., Canva or Adobe Illustrator). 3. Select a toy figure head (FIG. 5C) having a surface configured to receive a face layer compatible with the template shown in FIG. 5D. Applying software techniques, when a user selects a digital image (FIG. 5B) and a desired toy figure head type (FIG. 5C), the template of FIG. 1D is automatically applied to the image to generate a faceplate (FIG. 5E), which the user can adjust using software techniques described herein. Alternatively, the user may be presented with an image that fits the template (FIG. 5D) and tools that allow the user to select an image to be printed on the face layer (FIG. 5D). 4. The completed head assembly is shown in Figure 5F and is compatible with popular building block figures such as Lego® minifigures (Figure 5G). The curved, transparent face cover is secured (e.g., glued) to the top of the face layer, which may also be secured (e.g., glued) to the face connector. The head may include accessories such as a helmet to help secure the cover to the other components of the head. 5. Figure 5G shows the head from Figure 5F with the cover attached to a block set figure in the shape of an astronaut. The helmet head accessory is attached to the custom head assembly.

[0100] A user may be provided with only a new head assembly to use with a used Block Set figure. Transforming a used Block Set figure into a custom Block Set figure by swapping out the head may delight children and increase playtime.

[0101] The use of cutting edge technologies such as digital image processing and high resolution color thermal printers may improve the quality, flexibility, scale and efficiency of personalized head production. However, it is possible to enhance the appeal of personalized toy figures without necessarily using digital image processing techniques. Here is the simplest case: 1. Select a physically printed photograph of the image at the appropriate scale. 2. Templates adapted to specific heads and covers may be incorporated into hand punch tools or implemented as stencils. 3. If the template is in stencil form, you can trace it onto a physical photo and then cut along the tracing on the template with scissors to create the face layer. 4. If the template is incorporated into a hand punch tool, the tool user may visually align it with the desired image portion on the physical photograph and punch out the face layer in one cut by pressing the cutting blade against the physical photograph. 5. Other physical methods may be used to convert the photographic image into a face layer with the appropriate dimensions.

[0102] 6 shows images illustrating steps in a method for personalizing a plurality of toy parts according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this method, a set of face layers may be generated from a digital image of a classroom of children so that each child gets their own customized toy figure, each child gets a full set of customized toy figures of their classmates, or any combination of classmate figures. A method for generating a plurality of custom printable digital images including face layers may include the following steps: 1. A user selects a digital image with multiple faces (FIG. 6A). 2. The software uses AI facial recognition tools to extract multiple faces from the digital image (Figure 6B) and apply tags that identify the images as members of a set. 3. The user selects a set of images from the image database, selects a toy part template from the library associated with the selected toy part (in this example, a Lego® compatible head), forms a kiss-cut template (Figure 6C), and applies the template to the head as shown in Figure 6D.

[0103] As mentioned above, the image adjustments required to design a set of custom face layers (done by the user manually and / or with dedicated software) may include: a. Resize digital images b. Aligning the digital image with the face layer template c. Approve the customized face design as complete and save it as d. Select the printer type e. Adding face layer designs to sheet layouts, and f. Printing the face layer and sheet.

[0104] The manual steps may include: 1. Create custom headsets for toy figures by pasting face layers onto blank heads, each with a face corresponding to each child in the class (Figure 6D). 2. Place the cover over the face layer, and 3. Attach the toy head to the figure body.

[0105] Referring to Figure 7, Figure 7A shows a thermal printable sheet with blank kiss-cut image-receiving templates formed for receiving flat portions of the faces for Lego® Friends (Figure 7B, left) and Lego® Minifigures (Figure 7B, right).

[0106] Some embodiments of the present invention, some of which are described below, may include kiss-cut image receiving surfaces with different contours configured to fit other head shapes, such as the rectangular head of a Lego® Minecraft® minifigure. Meanwhile, embodiments with other head shapes may be configured to receive a flat portion configured to fit the head shown in FIG. 7B. For example, the facial contour shape on the right of FIG. 7B may be placed on a head with a flat, rectangular facial surface.

[0107] Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment of a personalizable toy part that is not a toy figure head. Figure 8 shows a submarine with a periscope, with a user's image placed on the exterior surface of the periscope. This image may be provided in the form of a lens that is covered by a curved, transparent cover that magnifies the personalized image. In some aspects of the invention, the cover may be flat. The toy part may also include a light source behind the personalized image to further enhance the image for the user.

[0108] The personalized image shown in FIG. 8 does not necessarily need to be covered by a physical cover. Instead, a polymer film or the like may be used to protect the image from the harsh conditions of play. Coverless embodiments may be preferred for ease of assembly or improved image visibility. A suitable image-receiving material for coverless embodiments is a waterproof, scratch-resistant thermal print paper with a transparent polymer layer on the top surface for image protection. For example, sheets using Zink® technology, including Zink® Sticky-Backed paper, have a transparent polymer layer on the top surface and are therefore suitable for coverless embodiments.

[0109] Figure 9 illustrates how to personalize a toy piece in the form of a two-dimensional cardboard doll (Figures 9B and 9C) and a three-dimensional block set figure (Figure 9D). Figure 9A illustrates the process by which a user (e.g., a child in a photograph) selects an image of themselves and a toy piece to personalize. Upon selecting a toy piece, the user is presented with a number of toy piece templates associated with the selected toy piece, in this case, a clown template.

[0110] FIG. 9C illustrates the process of creating a printable digital image of a selected face. In this step, a child's facial image is adjusted and the image's contours are cropped to fit the available space on the toy part template for personalized features. The image is also adjusted so that the child's eyes and nose in the image align with the positions required by the selected toy part template. As shown in the two middle images of FIG. 9C, adjusting the facial image may involve overlaying the face with marks displayed on the toy part template. In this case, the user adjusts the image so that the eyes overlap with the eyes of the toy part template. In some embodiments, only the eyes may be used for this adjustment, in which case the clown nose is then added automatically by the software application or manually by the user. In some examples, only the nose may be used for this adjustment. For example, a template that converts a subject into a bird may use the nose position, in which case an image of the beak is superimposed on the bottom of the subject's face. The software application that performs the adjustment may include functionality to prevent adjustments that would distort the face and make it difficult to recognize by placing the eyes too close together (e.g., less than 5 mm). Once the printable digital image is prepared, it can be printed as shown on the right side of Figure 9C.

[0111] FIG. 9D shows a similar operation, but the toy part template is associated with a Lego® compatible figurine and includes other visual features representing the clown's shirt and socks.

[0112] Figures 10A and 10B show an alternative toy piece in card format depicting an Egyptian cat. The left image of Figure 10A shows the toy piece provided as a cardboard cutout of the cat, configured to allow for personalization of a portion of the cat's face. A toy piece template containing a tailored child's face image, as shown on the right side of Figure 10A, can be printed using a cat-specific template and printed onto a kiss-cut sticker that the child can then apply to the cardboard cutout, resulting in a personalized, seamless toy, as shown in the center of Figure 10A.

[0113] A similar procedure can be used to obtain the personalized cardboard cutout of the Egyptian cat shown in Figure 10B, but this toy part can be hand-colored by the child, further enhancing the personalized effect of the toy.

[0114] FIG. 11 illustrates the creation of multiple printable digital images of a child's face for a Lego® Minecraft® figure. Methods for creating these printable digital images are as described above, but include using different toy part templates (all templates available for customizing this type of toy part) or the same template, but with different layers applied to the template after adjustment and before printing. The result of either of these methods is the creation of kiss-cut stickers that the user applies to the figure's head, showing different parts of the user's face. The stickers may be kiss-cut to simplify separation of the different layers.

[0115] FIG. 12 illustrates how a printable digital image can be further edited to provide an environmental context for the image. After adjusting the face image as described above, for example, a user may further edit the printable digital image before printing. In this embodiment, for example, additional visual elements may be added that are complementary to the selected toy part and provide further environmental context for the image. Because the toy part shown in FIG. 12 is an astronaut, the additional visual element applied to the image before printing is a space helmet. As shown in the right-hand image, this sticker provides the figure with a clearly recognizable image of a child's face wearing an astronaut helmet. It can also be seen that multiple children's faces can be processed to be printed on a single sticker sheet.

[0116] Finally, Figure 13 shows two stickers created using the method of the present invention. The first sticker contains the face of a child, tuned as described above and edited to include a spacesuit. The second sticker contains the faces of four friends, similarly decorated and arranged in a row. These stickers can be applied to the front and sides of a lunar rover-type toy component that a child can use to explore the surface of the moon with multiple friends.

[0117] As mentioned above, the present invention relates to toy parts such as heads for toy figures, as well as methods for combining customized face layers with toy carriers using software techniques and digital printers, where a cover is added to the face layer, making the resulting head compatible with standard plastic minifigures that have the same dimensions and can be connected with common plastic building blocks sets.

[0118] It will be appreciated that the customized and personalized toy parts described herein have many advantages over existing toys. For example, it is well known that children enjoy toy figurines that resemble them, and in certain embodiments of the present invention, allowing an accurate photographic likeness of a person to be placed on a toy head assembly may provide one or more of the following advantages: ● Toy figures can be created that closely resemble specific people. ● Greater control over facial likeness and implementation details, including precise facial expression control. ● One or more head assemblies may contain multiple face layers. For example, you may create a head assembly with a rotating neck using two photos of a person with a sad and a happy expression, but only display one expression at a time. • The ability to transform familiar pictures of socially relevant people, such as classroom groups or family members, into toy heads or figurines may provide social benefits to children by helping them learn names and faces or by enhancing their sense of belonging within relevant social groups. ● Adding personalized toy heads and figures to existing toy figures and toy building sets, such as Lego-compatible block sets, which are widely found in many toy boxes around the world, can increase the enjoyment and relevance of children's playtime.

[0119] It should be understood that the various embodiments described above are illustrative and not limiting. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Indeed, upon reading the above description, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art how to implement alternative embodiments. Therefore, the present embodiment should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments.

[0120] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

[0121] In the claims and the foregoing description of the invention, unless the context requires otherwise, by express language or necessary implication, the words "comprises," "has," and "comprises" are used in their inclusive sense, i.e., to specify the presence of stated features and not to exclude the presence or addition of other features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. Select a face image from a digital image, selecting a toy part template from a plurality of toy part templates available for the toy part to be personalized; creating a printable digital image of the selected face, said creating step comprising: The facial image is adjusted so that the image contours and facial eye positions match the pre-defined contours and positions for the selected toy part template; A method of personalizing a toy part, comprising printing a printable digital image, the printed image being configured to be applied to the toy part.

2. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the facial image includes overlaying the facial image with a toy part template and adjusting the user to align the eyes with the toy part template.

3. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the facial image includes adjusting the image by a computer processor to match eye positions to pre-defined eye positions in a toy part template.

4. 4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising adjusting the facial image to match the mouth and / or nose positions of the face on the image to predetermined positions of the selected toy part template.

5. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the adjustment of the facial image does not result in a distance between the eyes that is less than a minimum distance.

6. 6. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the printable digital image is further adjusted based on one or more other characteristics of the selected toy part template.

7. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the selected characteristics of the toy part include the size and / or shape of the image receiving portion of the toy part, the size and shape of the cover, other layers or accessories of the toy part, whether the toy part has flat or curved portions for receiving the image, and the intended use of the toy part.

8. 8. The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising editing a printable digital image.

9. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein editing the printable digital image includes adding to the printable digital image one or more visual elements selected from a predefined group that are complementary to the selected toy part template.

10. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the visual elements include hair, bedclothes, facial ornaments, accessories, or environmental features associated with the selected toy part.

11. 11. The method of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein printing the printable digital image comprises printing the digital image onto a surface of an image-receptive material.

12. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the image receptive material comprises an adhesive such that the printed digital image can be attached to a portion of the toy part configured to receive the personalized image.

13. 13. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein the image receiving material is selected from any one or more of zinc stickers, zinc paper, instant film paper, thermal printer paper, plain paper, sticker paper, vinyl sticker paper, label paper, glossy paper, laminate cover, and photo paper.

14. 11. The method of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein printing the printable digital image comprises printing the digital image on a portion of a toy part configured to receive a personalized image.

15. 15. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the facial images are selected by a processing device with facial recognition capabilities to identify faces in digital images.

16. 16. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the stored digital image is a digitised drawing, a digitised illustration and / or a digital photograph.

17. 17. The method of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the toy part is a two-dimensional toy part or a three-dimensional toy part.

18. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the toy part is a two-dimensional toy part selected from the group consisting of playing cards, trading cards, figure cards, hand-paintable figure cards, flat shapes, and flat sheet material.

19. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the toy part is a three-dimensional toy part selected from the group including a toy figure head, a figure, a structure containing a window, a toy block, a toy vehicle, a toy part having a flat area suitable for receiving a printed image, and a toy part having a cylindrical area suitable for receiving a printed image.

20. 20. A device comprising a curved transparent cover and a portion configured to receive a personalized image produced by the method of any one of claims 1 to 19, The personalized toy part has a cover that overlaps the personalized image when in use, thereby allowing the user to see the image.

21. 21. The toy part of claim 20, further comprising a light source positioned behind the personalized image.

22. 22. A toy part according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the cover is a lens that refracts a personalized image.

23. 23. A toy part according to any one of claims 20 to 22, comprising a plurality of parts configured to receive personalised images, each personalised image being the same or different.

24. 24. The toy part of claim 23, wherein the plurality of portions are spaced apart around the periphery of the toy part.

25. 25. A toy part according to any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein the toy part is the head of a toy figure.

26. 26. The toy part of claim 25, wherein the portion configured to receive the personalized image is a peripheral slot in the head, and the outermost surface of the head defines a curved transparent cover.

27. 27. The toy part of claim 26, wherein the portion configured to receive the personalized image is a surface configured to receive the image thereon, and the cover is configured to be secured to the body portion of the head so as to cover the surface.

28. 28. The toy part of claim 27, wherein the portion configured to receive the personalized image is a surface of the partial head, and the cover is a separate part configured to fit over the image, and the cover, image, and partial head combine to form the head of the toy figure.

Images